Code Name S.T.E.A.M. creates a knife edge multiplayer challenge for families with as much to commend it as Chess. Fighting talk I know, but this 3DS game made me reconsider how I see (and limit) video games in the home.

While few have ambitions for their children to get really good at video games, parents will often encourage progeny to develop Chess playing smarts. The ancient turn-based strategy brings with it a sense of intelligence and culture. Patience, cunning, sacrifice, compromise and forward-planning are just a few of the perceived character-building benefits.

Perhaps in years to come Call of Duty and Mario Kart will be seen in the same light, as aspirational mind and character-developing pursuits rather than entertaining wastes of time. That not yet being the case, I've been encouraging my boys to spend time playing Chess (alongside their video game fun).

It had been slow going, but this week I've repeatedly come down in the morning to find them risen early to get in some Chess before school. Asking what was behind this change of heart, I was told that they wanted "to get ready for playing Steam on Saturday". By this they meant their weekend screen time with Code Name S.T.E.A.M. on the 3DS.

I'd been working through the main campaign for review, but they really clicked with the local multiplayer. You need two copies of the game and two 3DS consoles, but then you have one of the best turn-based multiplayer challenges I've encountered.

It's here that many of the slightly maligned game-play features really come to life. Take for example the ability to rewind movement. In the hands of younger players this makes perfect sense. I'm all for them learning from their mistakes, but being able to understand these mistakes is more important.

On easy (the rewind option is removed on harder difficulty) you can plot out your movement around the map before committing to a course of action. I remember this forming a key part of my Advance Wars strategy, although admittedly without the fog of war benefits you have here, and the kids soon made the most of it too. It's a feature they like so much that they've incorporated it into their Chess game, allowing each other to undo a move if unforeseen carnage takes place (read: they lose their Queen).

The similarities continue with their growing appreciation of each character. As I've been encouraging them in their Chess play, they put the different S.T.E.A.M. units to specific use in their advancement through a level. Some are initially overlooked only to be discovered useful at a later level while others remain "get-the-job-done" favourites throughout.

Discovering the ability to customise both the equipment and alternate weapons for each unit has also increased their attention to each different role — with complex hand-drawn charts to work out the ideal combos.

Then there's the time limit that takes multiplayer Code Name S.T.E.A.M. into speed Chess territory. Here they are encouraged to think and act swiftly as well as strategically. This keeps the game moving along quickly and ensures fewer moments waiting for an opponent to calculate a move (which still lags a little on the single player even with the recent patch).

Again these elements of the video game have fed back into week day Chess sessions. A stop-clock has now been ordered to add the time-limits and they've started making better use of the time waiting for each other to move to plan their next action.

It's been a happy back-and-forth between board and video game, for me as well as for them. In fact, when they recently asked why they could play Chess whenever they wanted but not the video game, I wasn't entirely clear why I still held the distinction.

Certainly Code Name S.T.E.A.M. has improved their Chess playing, as I discovered the other day. Happily working my usual Chess plan of attrition I swiftly moved in to take my son's Bishop after his errant move. The error turned out to be mine as he swiftly took my Queen having sacrificed the other piece.

It's a two-way street, though - Chess playing has also improved their S.T.E.A.M. strategy. To hear my 7-year-old talk about his opening, middle and end game - not to mention pins, batteries, decoys and deflections while playing the 3DS - is a little freaky. This Chess vernacular is more than veneer with his application of threats, exchanges and double attacks translating well to the video game. Perhaps the biggest testament here is this new pursuit changing his YouTube viewing habits (surely the modern litmus test for any new idea) from Stampy to Chess tutorials.

It all makes me wonder, did parents of Chess players limit their time when the game was first invented in 1475, wishing their children would invest time in more productive pursuits? Similarly, perhaps I need to reconsider the lines of limitation I've created for my children's leisure time. Until I figure that out, I'm happy to see both Chess and Code Name S.T.E.A.M. as a substantial part of my children's game-playing education.

Doesn't matter since no one seems to be playing the game anyways. People want new ip's yet won't spend the money on them. I love the game and hope over the long run it sells well enough. Advance Wars was always highly rated yet sold like crap as well. Learn what a good game is people!

I still gotta buy Code Name Steam as I found the demo really fun. Though I haven't bought it yet since I wanted to get some other games first like MH4U. I'm probably gonna get this next after I get Splatoon.

@Kami2Kami Due to my lack of play time and other games getting in the way im only about half way through. I would really love to get even one amiibo for this game. Of the chatactors i have up to this point my favorits are actually Tom and Queequeg. My son has beaten the game and Queequeg is my only long range attacker against him. He kicks my butt on open range levels.

Nice read Andy, as much about real life parenting - did ancient parents limit their kids chess playing time? - as it is about videogames.

My kids don't seem interested in this, not sure why. They both have been waiting rather impatiently for Mario Maker - at least we finally have a release month - and Puzzle and Dragons has them keenly interested. (I think the race to the bottom of match 3 games over more other interesting strategy games should be Thomas Whiteheads next editorial.)

A big problem w a game like this in our household is my 12 year old is really into strategy games - he's actually in the chess club at school and likes board games like Stratego - but my 10 year old is really looking forward to Splatoon and much more enjoys platforming. He's smart enough to keep up w/ his older sibling, even occasionally beating him at chess, but he'll still lose 9 times out of 10 in any strategy based game and that just isn't fun for him.

Wii U could really use more games like this though - 1 player on screen, 1 on tv. But they really do play better together on the same team. They were never big fans of Pikmin 3 bingo battles but have gold or platinum on every DLC mission, and we purchased them all.

@Spoony_Tech The black guy who lobs penguins? If you wanted Fire Emblem amiibo, you could always get Ike? He is really common, although he is the least used amiibo in the game for me. He has no ranged attacks. Though it is the same for Marth, he has the No-Counter ability which makes him uber for rushing in for close combat.

@rjejr My oldest is only 8 and he declared it his favorite game of all time. He foes this sometimes with new games but hes always on me about playing multiplayer with him. Its not as fun since i don't have all the characters unlocked but i still will play him from time to time. I just have to change up my strategy immensely when i do.

@Spoony_Tech
When they asked for new IP, it doesn't mean they have to buy a new IP though. Personally I find the the settings and the characters uninteresting. I'm not saying it's a bad game, I liked the demo and will buy it down the line but the setting and the characters especially the enemies are boring.

@Spoony_Tech Yeah sorry didn't realise that was his name - I've edited my post lol. I find his ability quite useful with +20% attack. Lion's ability of +20% is also useful, but Lucina's ability is the best.... combined Queequeg and Lion's ability for +20% attack and +20% defense all in 1 character!

Oh, over here there is a surplus of Ike and you can get Marth for a slightly elevated price (about £25), Lucina and Robin are almost non-existent here lol

@Spoony_Tech - "I just have to change up my strategy immensely when i do."

Does that mean let him win. I'm still on the fence for a new 3DS XL but I would certainly get this game if I did. Might have to wait until after Kid Icarus and Luigi's Mansion 2 though.

My 12 year old found out yesterday there's another SSB tournament at the high school next Friday - he goes to 2 or 3 a year - but he can't go b/c we have to go to Moving Up Day for his Hebrew school, he has his bar mitzvah in Oct. Poor kid was so bummed but he knew what's what so didn't bother arguing.

You getting Splatoon next Friday? (That's Moving Up Day so it reminded me. Last year for a Moving Up Day gift I got them MK8 which also came out that day.) I played the 1st 2 betas last week but didn't recognize anyone. Wii U actually keeps a list of everyone you've played w/, even all the MK8 matches, somewhere.

@rjejr I am getting it. My son won't shut up about it. It's too the pount if he keeps obsessing over it my wife will say no he doesn't need it. I've told him to shut up about it lol. I think he will be better then me at it honestly. As for Steam, no i never let him win at anything but he does his fair share of beating me in Pikmin 3 and even more so in Steam.

@Spoony_Tech - Oh man you are so funny. My wife said no yesterday, I think I've been complaining too much about the $60 US price lately, she actually said it wasn't worth it. Gives me a week to change her mind, I've already Wiifreinded Jaxon and Sinalefa just for that game.

Do you let your 8 yr old play online w/ his own account? My kids have had their own accounts since the PS3 days, at least 5 years now, but they almost never play online. Maybe SSB but that hardly counts, looks the same online and off. And Minecraft on the PC. I'm thinking Splatoon will be ok, which is probably 1 reason among many that they left out voice chat. I'd actually prefer they had it in just for people on the friends list - all 5 of you - but I'm not boycotting it b/c it doesn't have it. My kids have a 1st cousin, boy their age - a 5 hour drive away- and it would be good for them, he's actually the only other person we know w/ a Wii U. Poor poor Wii U.

@rjejr My son does have his iwn id but he only uses it mostly on his 3ds. Luigi's Mansion and Steam of course. Both are online friendly. He's also never asked about Miiverse so I'm leaving that alone till he's ready.

@Spoony_Tech - Oh, my kids love posting stuff on Miiverse when they get accomplishments in HW, and new stamps. And I think they posted a bunch while trying to 100% SM3DW. A 20 level tower near the end is all but impossible. Not sure they ever read anything though, it's like graffiti for them. I've never thought of that as online, it's moderated and so lame. My wife - the Facebook addict - wont let them have accounts on there. My 12 yr old has a dumb cell phone for emergencies only.

Stupid question - what does Luig's Mansion have to do w/ online? I loved the first on Gamecube but haven't followed the 2nd too much since I'm still w/o a 3DS XL, my eyes are too old for the 3 we have, and my kids weren't intrested. They've played Kid Icarus forever but don't think they've ever played that online, though I know its a big part of the game.

The patch did wonders for the game, I wish some of the reviews out there would revisit Code Name S.T.E.A.M. post patch. I would like to try all the FE Amiibo characters but they're extremely hard to find in my area.

Great article! It's nice to read that this family is enjoying Codename STEAM together. (Now I'm tempted to get a 2nd copy to try out local multiplayer). I loved the game, I'm at the end, but now I'm holding out for amiibo restock or the amiibo cards to be released. (Currently playing Persona Q and Etrian Mystery Dungeon)

Advance Wars & Fire Emblem both remind me of chess, stratego, risk type games. They also have some baseball characteristics to them if you consider pitching vs hitting as a turn based type thing which I do. Weird analogy I know but makes perfect sense in my head.

@rjejr - I wasn't going to buy Splatoon but after my son played the test fire he convinced my wife to use his birthday money to buy it so I guess I will be picking it up next Friday. I can't believe she said yes....usually any gifts of money he gets goes straight to the college fund.

@Gerbwmu - "I can't believe she said yes....usually any gifts of money he gets goes straight to the college fund."

We're pretty good about splitting up our kids money between college fund, HS prom money (I'm scarred for life b/c I never went to a prom, it's going to be on my tombstone - Here lies rjejr, he never went to a prom) and spend money. That spend money does come w/ a lot of parental supervision, otherwise they would spend $200 each on Pokemon cards.

The 2 kids and I may end up going in 33.3% each for Splatoon, we're still working out what to do about the $35 amiibo though. It's about $103.25 w/ tax and probably not worth it. But is the game worth it w/o the amiibo locked missions? Hopefully they'll sort of have a review before next Friday, obviously can't be a complete review as 90% of the game is online, but we'd like to know how long single player is w/o amiibo.

If I am not mistaken the missions are single player, so it depends on if you are going to be online a lot or not. I think you will.

For the review, I guess the Testfires are a good testing ground, although probably NL will wait for their verdict. The thing is that if they will give amiibo with the review copies, or they will skip that too.

@sinalefa - You know, for once in my life I'd just like something to be simple.

S&S2 out today, still on the fence waiting for the review. Splatoon next week, still discussing it. Was planning on taking the kids shopping tomorrow for PaDZ and the Mario Ed but now THEY want to wait and see. All they really want is Mario Maker but still no date (a month isn't a date) and now I'm wondering if that will be $40 or $60, retail or DL. Will there be a story mode or is it really just a level editor w/o a game?

OK, I'm being negative for no reason, stopping now. I have SUCH a headache.

Absolutely love the game. It's definitely not without balancing issues (not between different characters, but between allies and hostiles on certain maps (I cursed quite a bit during the boss stage in the graveyard).

I'd love to see Advance Wars return though, those games -especially the earlier- were fantastic! But I wouldn't mind if it took some gameplay elements from this game as well.

@rjejr Never went to my prom either and don't regret it. As for Luigi's its a co-op effort as you need to find and capture ghosts. Theres actually3 different modes. Its quite fun and it always gives stats as who did the best at the end of each floor. One pf the better online offerings imo.

See, I grew up on chess and would LOVE to play this game online. Problem is I never have anyone to play with. Oh well, as soon as my Lucina and Robin get here in a week I'll probably give the game a go. That's what I was waiting on to start playing it because I wanted to have all 4 Fire Emblem characters first.

@rjejr
On the topic of Luigi's Mansion, The fact that it allows download play was a really big thing for me, since my brother didn't own a copy of the game. I think you can only play one mode with download play but hey, it's better than nothing.